Our First Extended Trip - Loaded up and Ready to Go!

Tomorrow we leave for our first extended trip.  Now that we are retired we have the ability to travel without having to schedule our return with our employees.  We intend to make the most of this freedom and spend time following the interests of the moment.

We have decided to plan for a trip of at least 6 weeks in duration.  We will be staying predominately in "dispersed camping" sites in National Forests or minimal hook-up sites in State Parks and Monuments.  However, the first 9 days of our trip will be in cities and we will be staying in KOA campgrounds.  We intend this to be a very active trip, we will try to get some sort of physical exercise nearly every day.  We are also prepared for overnight backpacking trips if we find the opportunity.

So, because of the variety of activities we have planned, we have been anticipating the loading of the Mercury.  We want to be sure that we can take everything that we need and have room to store it without overloading the van.

Driver's Side Upper Cabinet

We have loaded a large quantity of food to minimize trips to the grocery store.  However with our taste for fruits and vegetables we know that a grocery store will be in our plans about every 3 days.  The driver's side upper storage cabinet contains our supply of snacks for accessibility.

Galley Upper Cabinet

Galley Storage
 

Our galley upper cabinet contains cooking supplies and equipment.  We have discovered that a small (2 liter) pressure cooker makes cooking rice and beans fast and easy.







The galley, with it's two large drawers, provides ample space for pots and pans.  The slide-out pantry provides a large space for food storage.






Platform Bed

With the bed made up full time, there is no need to dedicate storage space to linens and blankets during the day.  We have added cargo nets to store sleeping bags.  The bags can be used when we encounter colder weather as well as backpacking trips.




Under the platform with the back doors open is where all of the gear not used in travel is stored.  The driver's side door holds the grey water flush hose and on the passenger side door is mounted the fresh water fill hose.  Portable chairs and a table for outdoor living are loose on the floor.

Bikes and Portable A/C

 On the right side I've secured the portable air conditioning unit.  We hope that once we visit a few select KOA campgrounds in the first 9 days, we are able to camp in the forest and not need the A/C.  The bikes can be removed fairly easily and ride very securely.  Leveling blocks are useful even without a LP refrigerator just to keep the sink and shower drains flowing properly.




Bulk Storage

 

On the left side we've got 4 tubs. One each for extra and cold weather clothes, one for backpacking gear, and one for additional canned and dried food storage.  Boots are stored in a tray that can be slid under the van when the boots are wet.





Road Tools

 I found a great storage space for road tools on the under side of the platform. I've used "Quick Fist" straps to attach a "save-a-tow", an axe, a saw, and a shovel.  I've also stored an extensive tool kit in the cabinets under the platform but to get there all of the tubs must be removed first.

After loading the van this afternoon, I took it to the landfill and got it weighed.  It came in at 8490 lb. with driver and passenger and about 5/8 + tank of fuel.  I figure a full fuel tank will bring it right up to it's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 8550 lbs.  I won't have any capacity to spare but I also can't think of anything else that I've need to take.  I guess that if we buy something along the way we will just have to get rid of something to make room.

 

So we are ready to go!  Our next posts will be from the road. 

 

'till then....

JIM